Melancholic Landmark in City's Epicenter

By Josephine StoneQuailBellMagazine.com

By RP Piper

I had never been to Cincinnati until Labor Day weekend 2011 because I'd previously never had a reason to go. I am sure "Visiting all 50 states" lies somewhere mid-way down my bucket list, but I am also sure that Ohio was not toward the top of those 50. A friend's wedding sent my husband and me with a rideshare friend-of-a- friend driving 10 hours northwest of Richmond. We frequented rest stops, ate fried food and rotated turns picking albums on the iPod.

What is there to see in Cincinnati? The home of the Reds, the Bengals and Skyline chili? With minimal knowledge and expectations of our destination, this long distance river city was a blank canvas in our minds. It was clear, however, after riding our exit ramp past the illuminated skyline that this trip would not disappoint.

Most aspects of the city were similar to other large cities--towering buildings, hundreds of people out and about, an art district, neighborhoods in boroughs, and glorious public transit. But there was something dark about this city we wouldn't discover until later.

Taking the number 3 bus straight to the thriving center of the business district, we found ourselves at Fountain Square--a large, outdoor area complete with tables and chairs, a large performance stage, and-- you guessed it--a fountain in the center of it all. This is where the beautiful morbidity comes into the picture.

The Tyler Davidson Fountain is located at 5th and Vine Streets, and analyzing it from an emotional, uninformed interpretation of this piece of art, is the saddest and most sexual fountain I have ever seen. A young woman stands above everyone, showering water on the relief carvings and statues below. The only thing is that her hands do not look giving. Her hands are downturned nonchalantly as the peasant women and children below her fight to fill their vases. Nothing about this woman conveys wholesome fertility. In the middle of Cincinnati, there's a struggle between a beautiful woman with everything, standing above those who need her to live.

Surrounding the fountain are several naked young men, each straddling a different animal. Despite the creepy statue of the woman above, the young men are each straggling their animal, in some cases a snake, turtle, or fish. Water pours from each animal's mouth into a basin below. The symbolism is obvious.

Fountain Square is the place to be on a midsummer's afternoon, with people of all ages gathered around at tables and perched along the edge of the Tyler Davidson. As I sat, slowly moving my hand back and forth in the clear water full of coins, I wondered to myself if anyone else saw the sadness in the woman watching over Cincinnati.

Justin H

11/13/2011 02:10:55 pm

Haha, interesting interpretation. I grew up a mile from downtown and currently live a few blocks from the fountain. It's called, "The Genius of Water." I was inspired by the river, and basically pays homage to water and all the its various benefits and uses.